Kathmandu, Jan 3: Nepal recorded a modest increase in foreign tourist arrivals in 2025, with total visitor numbers crossing the 1.15-million mark, according to official figures released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
The country welcomed 1,158,459 international tourists during the year, marginally higher than the 1,147,548 visitors registered in 2024, reflecting a gradual but steady recovery in the tourism sector.
Data released by the NTB shows that Indian nationals remained the largest source of visitors, underscoring Nepal’s strong cross-border tourism ties. The United States and China also continued to feature among the leading source markets, highlighting sustained long-haul travel interest.
Tourism activity remained strong toward the end of the year, with 98,190 foreign visitors arriving in December alone, suggesting continued momentum during the peak travel season.
Despite the year-on-year growth, Nepal has yet to surpass its pre-pandemic high recorded in 2019, when tourist arrivals reached 1,197,191, which remains the country’s best-performing year for international tourism.
Officials view the latest figures as an indicator of stabilisation rather than a full rebound, as the sector continues to rebuild amid evolving global travel patterns.